Journal of Humanities and Education Development (JHED)
ISSN: 2581-8651
Vol-1, Issue-2, Mar – Apr 2019
https://dx.doi.org/10.22161/jhed.1.2.4
Contamination in Pasir Gudang Area, Peninsular
Malaysia: What can we learn from Kim Kim
River chemical waste contamination?
Chee Kong Yap1*, Shih Hao Tony Peng2 and Chee Seng Leow3
1 Departmentof Biology, Faculty of Science, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400 UPM, Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia
2 All Cosmos BiotTech Holding Corporation, PLO650, Jalan Keluli, Pasir Gudang Industrial Estate, 81700 Pasir Gudang, Johor,
Malaysia
3 Humanology Sdn Bhd, 73-3 Amber Business Plaza, Jalan Jelawat 1, 56000 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Abstract— This paper reviews monitoring studies of Due to its hotspot as pollution sources in Malaysia,
chemical pollutant in the Straits of Johore, especially in the Straits of Johore have been constant investigated and
Pasir Gudang area. The Kim Kim River chemical waste monitored in particu lar for heavy metal pollution by using
pollution occurred in March 2019 is reviewed for surface sediments (Yap et al., 2002, 2003a, 2007, 2010;
comparison with the previously reported scientific data. It Maadin et al., 2016) and the green-lipped mussel Perna
is concluded that reporting monitoring data in the scientific viridis (Yap et al., 2006, 2012, 2013a, 2013b; Mahat et al.,
literature is just a knowledge sharing without any practical 2018).
implications. Only heavy pollution cases involving human A lot of monitoring studies near and around
health implications would trigger governing bodies’ Kampung Pasir Puteh (KPPuteh) located near Pasir Gudang,
immediate actions. Therefore, reports of scientific has been conducted as judged from the many scientific
monitoring data should be treated with high importance papers published in the literature. Wood et al. (1997)
and governing bodies should be working closely with those reported geochemistry of sediments in the Straits of Johore.
researchers for the benefits of public at large. It is Abdullah et al. (1996) reported Distribution of oil and
recommended that ‘Polluters Pay Principle’ should be fully grease and petroleum hydrocarbons in the St raits of Johor.
adopted in line with stricter laws and regulations with Zulkifli et al. (2010) categorized the Straits of Johore as
effective management of clean river sustainability in hotspot of trace metal contamination. Most recently,
Malaysia. Maadin et al. (2006) directly reported elevated levels of Cu
Keywords— River pollution; Kim Kim River; River and Zn in the sediments collected from KPPuteh.
management. Based on 6 sampling sites of sediments collected
between November 2015 and March 2016, Maadin et al.
MONITORING STUDIES IN THE STRAITS OF (2016) reported Cu concentration in sediment was 19.5 to
JOHORE 146.5 µg/g while zinc concentration was in the range of
The Straits of Johore is considered a hotspot area 147.0 to 560.2 µg/g. These two metal ranges exceeded the
for potentially receiv ing a lot of anthropogenic inputs due to allo wable limit stated by Canadian Sediment Quality
its vicinity to many industries such as transportation and Gu idelines (Cu: 108 µg/g; Zn: 271 µg/g). Th is has further
logistics, shipbuilding, petrochemicals and other heavy confirmed that the point sources of pollution at Sungai
industries, and oil palm storage and distribution. Pasir Kampung Pasir Puteh are still going on. Based on
Gudang is an industrial town located in Johor Bahru District, observable activities in the surrounding during our sampling
which becomes infamous because of chemical waste experiences fro m 2002 to 2009, these sources are suspected
contamination in Kim Kim River. It is located near to the to be untreated/semi-treated effluents from factories
eastern coast of the Straits of Johore. contained chemicals. Of course, domestic urban wastes
fro m nearby v illager house and restaurants cannot be ruled
https://theshillonga.com/index.php/jhed Page | 84
Journal of Humanities and Education Development (JHED)
ISSN: 2581-8651
Vol-1, Issue-2, Mar – Apr 2019
https://dx.doi.org/10.22161/jhed.1.2.4
out as well. Non-point sources pollution such as oil practical follo w up fro m related agencies and depart ment of
pollution fro m shipping activities and coastal development environment from the governing bodies.
as well as soil erosion also would affect the water quality
along Straits of Johor (Maadin et al., 2016). HUMAN HEALTH IMPLICATIONS IN PASIR
Examples of bio monitoring of chemical pollutants GUDANG AREA
in the mussels from Pasir Gudang areas have been widely Beginning March 7 2019 with subsequent cases of
published in the scientific literature. Keshavarzifard et al. health problems (breathing difficu lties, dizziness, nausea
(2018) investigated distributions, composition patterns, and vomit ing) among the school children especially,
sources and potential to xicity of polycyclic aro mat ic Malaysia has a shocking news on river pollut ion due to
hydrocarbon (PAHs) pollution in surface sediments fro m illegal du mping as hazardous chemical wastes into Kim
the Kim Kim River, Pen insular Malaysia. They concluded Kim River in Pasir Gudang, Johore. According to Borneo
that the human health risk assessment applying Cancer Post Online (15 March 2019), ‘Chemical pollution wh ich
Riskingestion and Cancer Risk dermal indicated that affected more than 2,000 people, and caused 111 schools in
probabilistic health risk to humans via ingestion and dermal Pasir Gudang to be ordered closed, believed to have been
pathways fro m sediments of the Kim Kim River can be caused by toxic waste dumped into Kim Kim River on
categorised as low-to-moderate risk. Yap et al. (2007) March 7, 2019.’
collected surface sediments fro m a drainage of Until March 16, 2019, around 143 vict ims of the
petrochemical site in Pasir Gudang (Johore) in 2005 and incident were still hospitalized and needed attentive
found high contamination by Cu, Zn, Ni and Pb. Yap, et al treatment (Bernama, March 17, 2019). Bernama (March 19,
(2002, 2003) reported that Kg. Pasir Puteh (near Pasir 2019) reported that the Kim Kim River has been confirmed
Gudang) at Johore were identified as metal-polluted sites in to be safe follo wing a massive clean-up operation by
Malaysia. various agencies.The Edge Markets (March 25, 2019)
Abdo Alkhadher e al. (2016) investigated the reported that two directors of a used tyre processing
distribution and sources of linear alkyl benzenes (LABs) company were each charged at the Sessions Court involving
were evaluated in surface sediments collected fro m Johor the disposal of scheduledchemical wastes in Kim Kim
Bahru Coast and the Kim Kim River. The rat io of internal River.
to external isomers (I/ E ratio) of LA Bs in sediment samp les
fro m Johor Bahru Coast and the Kim Kim River stations NO FOLLOW UP FROM THE GOVERNING BODIES
indicate that the areas were receiving primary and The news about Kim Kim River chemical waste
secondary effluents. contamination will on ly provide information to people
Based on samples collected in January–March ranging fro m babies, school child ren to governmental
2015, Mahat et al. (2018) studied the heavy metal levels in officials of DOE. According to Lo kman (NST, 2019), ‘The
mussels P. viridis collected fro m Kg. Pasir Puteh (near Pasir dumping of to xic waste in Kim Kim River has apparently
Gudang). It is the major harvesting site in Malaysia. They been happening for years. Long suffering residents have
reported that the concentrations for Pb and Cd in P. viridis alerted the authorities to the matter, but it seems nothing has
exceeded the maximu m permissible limits of Cd and Pb by been done to address it.’
Malaysian Food Regulations 1985. Based on target hazard However, the news about Kim Kim River chemical
quotient values, both Pb and Cd exceeded 1. Th is indicated waste contamination that involving hu man life and dead
possible detrimental health impacts on human for conditions have eventually culminate to public attention and
consuming the mussels from Kg. Pasir Puteh. Previously, P. worrisome, again ranging fro m all walks of lives fro m
viridis collected fro m Kg. Pasir Puteh has been reported to babies to the prime min ister of Malaysia. The chemical
contain high levels of heavy metals especially Cu in the waste contamination incident in Pasir Gudang does point
edible soft tissues of the mussels collected in 2000 (Yap et the immediate response from the governing bodies
al., 2003b, 2004a, 2004b ), 2005 (Yap et al., 2006) and 2009 especially fro m the state government that approved an
(Eugene et al., 2013a, 2013b). emergency allocation of RM 6.4 million as instant aid
All the three above publications are just for mainly for cleaning works and to be given to the victims
scientific informat ion for public knowledge but received no exposed to the dangers of the pollution. (Borneo Post
Online, 15 March 2019).
https://theshillonga.com/index.php/jhed Page | 85
Journal of Humanities and Education Development (JHED)
ISSN: 2581-8651
Vol-1, Issue-2, Mar – Apr 2019
https://dx.doi.org/10.22161/jhed.1.2.4
[3] Bernama (March 17, 2019). 143 vict ims of chemical
CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS waste contamination still hospitalised.
The scientific reporting monitoring data in the https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2019/03/ 470089
scientific literature is just a knowledge sharing without any /143-v ictims-chemical-waste-contamination-still-
practical imp lications. Co mp laints fro m the public and hospitalised. Searched on 02 March 2019.
scientific reports have little attraction to the governing [4] Bernama.(March 19, 2019). Sungai Kim Kim declared
bodies or sometimes can be easily ignored or put under clean and safe.http://mole.my/sungai-kim-kim-
wait ing list. Only heavy pollution cases involving hu man declared-clean-and-safe. Searched on 02 March 2019.
health implications would trigger governing bodies’ [5] Borneo Post Online.(15 March 2019). Update on
immed iate actions as in the case of Kim Kim River chronology of chemical pollution in Sungai Kim Kim,
pollution. Pasir Gudang.
It is recommended that reports of scientific https://www.theborneopost.com/2019/03/15/update-
monitoring data should be treated with h igh impo rtance and on-chronology-of-chemical-pollution-in -sungai-kim-
governing bodies should be working closely with those kim-pasir-gudang.Searched on 05 April 2019.
researchers for the benefits of public at large. Any [6] Eugene Ng, Y.J., Yap, C.K.,Zakaria, M.P., Aris, A.Z.,
suspected sources of illegal dump ing of chemical wastes and Tan, S.G. 2013a.Trace metal concentrations in the
into our waterways (rivers and drainages) should be closely different parts of Pernaviridiscollected fro m some
monitored and polluters should be penalized. Stricter laws jetties in the Straits of Johore. Poll. Res. 32 (1): 9-19.
and regulations with effective management of clean river [7] Eugene Ng, Y.J., Yap, C.K., Zakaria, M.P., Aris, A.Z.,
sustainability can be implemented.Therefore, it is highly and Tan, S.G. 2013b. Depuration of trace metals in
recommended that ‘Polluters Pay Principle ’ should be fully transplanted Pernaviridis from polluted site at Kg
adopted by all means in Malaysia once our rivers are found Pasir Puteh to relatively unpolluted sites at Kg
with scientific proofs of hazardous chemical contamination. Sg.Melayu and Sg.Belungkor in the St raits of Johore.
This principle is the commonly accepted practice that those J. Ind. Poll. Contr. 29(1): 1-6.
who produce pollution should bear the costs of managing it [8] Eugene Ng, Y.J., Yap, C. K.,PauziZakaria, M., and
to prevent damage to human health or the ecosystem health. Tan, S.G. 2013c. Assessment of heavy metal pollution
Finally, it is to be noted that any complaints in the Straits of Johore by using transplanted caged
fro m the public should be taken into serious consideration mussels. Pertanika J. Sci. Tech. 21(1): 75 – 96.
for further actions by the Malaysian Depart ment of [9] Keshavarzifard, M., Zakaria, M.P., Keshavarzifard, S.,
Environment (DOE). Th is is important so as to avoid the and Sharifi, R. 2018. Distributions, composition
repetition of the same environ mental d isaster at Kim Kim patterns, sources and potential toxicity of polycyclic
River pollution in other DOE identified polluted rivers in aromat ic hydrocarbons (PAHs) pollution in surface
Malaysia. Perhaps, this is the main lesson to be learnt. sediments fro m the Kim KimRiver and SeggetRiver,
Peninsular Malaysia.Pertanika J. Sci. Tech. 26 (1): 95-
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